Disclosed embodiments provide a device having a pivot hoop affixed to the rear side of a shaft from a hand tool such as a fork, weed lifter, or shovel. The pivot hoop provides additional leverage during operation of the tool. Disclosed embodiments provide an improved hand tool that reduces fatigue and risk of injury during use.

A pivoting shovel assembly for reducing the effort required to lift and empty a shovel includes a tool. The tool includes a shaft. A first handle is attached to and extends upwardly away from the shaft. A head is attached to and extends downwardly away from the shaft opposite the first handle. A pole has an upper end and a lower end with a foot attached to the lower end. A coupler is attached to and extends between the pole and the shaft such that the pole and the shaft are pivotable with respect to each other. The coupler allows pivoting wherein upper halves of the pole and the shaft are positionable in a first position orientated parallel to each other and in a second position wherein the first handle is pivoted rearwardly with respect to the upper end.

A support aid for digging and prying when using a shovel is disclosed. The support aid allows a shovel user to support the weight of a load by use of a support shaft. A user pivots a load from one position to another more ergonomic position using the support shaft. An end of the support shaft has a channel freely slidable along a handle of a shovel, for allowing a fulcrum, which is defined by a point of contact between the handle and the channel, to be quickly moved along the handle. The channel is configured for allowing the shovel shaft to freely rotate about an axis, enabling a user to quickly change a shovel blade angle relative to the ground or relative to a load at any time. In this way, ergonomic application of the inherent mechanical advantage of a handle of a shovel is provided to users of the support.

Provided is a foot shovel comprising a pedal-activated lift and release mechanism. The foot shovel may allow for the relocation of a load, such as snow, dirt, rocks, sand, concrete, and the like, while minimizing exertion of the back, shoulders, and upper body. The foot shovel instead may redirect that exertion to an area of the body that may be less prone to complications and strain due to sudden movement, such as the feet, legs, and lower body. The pedal-activated lift and release mechanism may comprise a series of levers, arms, and axles that transition the foot shovel from a resting state where the foot shovel may acquire a load, to a lifting state that allows movement of the load to a desired location, and, finally, to a release state wherein the load is released from the foot shovel. The pedal-activated lift and release mechanism may transition back to a resting state to repeat the process of relocation. The pedal-activated lift and release mechanism may be actuated by a stepping motion by a user's foot.

A lifting aid system for a long-handled implement may include a lifting aid. The lifting aid includes a mounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of a long-handled implement. The lifting aid further includes a fulcrum assembly including a fulcrum bar pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and at least one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar. The lifting aid system may further include a handle having at least one portion capable of being grasped by a user. The lifting aid system may further include a handle mounting assembly. The handle mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket having a first engagement portion configured to engage and be removably attached to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement and a second engagement portion configured to engage and be removably attached to the handle of the lifting aid system.

A lifting aid system for a long-handled implement may include a lifting aid. The lifting aid includes a mounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of a long-handled implement. The lifting aid further includes a fulcrum assembly including a fulcrum bar pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and at least one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar. The lifting aid system may further include a handle having at least one portion capable of being grasped by a user. The lifting aid system may further include a handle mounting assembly. The handle mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket having a first engagement portion configured to engage and be removably attached to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement and a second engagement portion configured to engage and be removably attached to the handle of the lifting aid system.

Disclosed embodiments provide a device having a pivot hoop affixed to the rear side of a shaft from a hand tool such as a fork, weed lifter, or shovel. The pivot hoop provides additional leverage during operation of the tool. Disclosed embodiments provide an improved hand tool that reduces fatigue and risk of injury during use.

A pivoting shovel assembly for reducing the effort required to lift and empty a shovel includes a tool. The tool includes a shaft. A first handle is attached to and extends upwardly away from the shaft. A head is attached to and extends downwardly away from the shaft opposite the first handle. A pole has an upper end and a lower end with a foot attached to the lower end. A coupler is attached to and extends between the pole and the shaft such that the pole and the shaft are pivotable with respect to each other.

The coupler allows pivoting wherein upper halves of the pole and the shaft are positionable in a first position orientated parallel to each other and in a second position wherein the first handle is pivoted rearwardly with respect to the upper end.

A hole digger is provided. The hole digger includes a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a first grip, a first intermediate portion, and a first blade. The first intermediate portion extends between the first grip and the first blade. The second handle assembly including a second grip, a second intermediate portion, and a second blade. The second intermediate portion extends between the second grip and the second blade. The second handle assembly is pivotally coupled to the first handle assembly such that a front surface of the first blade faces a front surface of the second blade. The first blade is not identical to the second blade. At least one stiffener is coupled to at least one of the first or second blades.

A lifting aid for a long-handled implement includes a mounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of a long-handled implement and a fulcrum assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly. The fulcrum assembly includes a fulcrum bar pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and at least one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar such that (i) at least a bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is disposed adjacent to a lowermost part of a lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and (ii) at least a lower part of the bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is capable of moving, at least in a substantially linear manner, upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and downwardly below the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar.